Welcome Letters 2012

Posted in Support

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Exhibitors,

On behalf of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I am happy to welcome the exhibitors and guests of the 8th Central Asian International Exhibition of Eco Technologies and Eco Services for Industrial and Municipal Sectors – EcoTech 2012 and the 4th Central Asian International Water and Water Technologies Exhibition – WaterTech Central Asia 2012 sharing the same venue.

To date, the environmental situation in the Republic of Kazakhstan remains stable, and prerequisites to reduce emissions and to transit to more efficient environmentally friendly technologies have been generated. However, a number of environmental problems remain to be resolved.

Due to the fact that Kazakhstan have ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol and adopted voluntary quantitative commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a lot of attention to low-carbon development is paid in the country.

With a view to fulfilling the targeted strategic tasks, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Amendments and Additions to the Legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Environmental Issues has been adopted providing for the state regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and introduction of a domestic emissions trading system.

A great work is in progress along these lines. All necessary regulations have already been adopted, and a carbon market infrastructure is being prepared. The domestic emissions trading system is to be launched starting 2013.

Further improvement of the environmental legislation and approval of waste management programme development rules will provide conditions for the development of a green technologies and services market in Kazakhstan.

The priority tasks of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan include activities to establish a registry of certificates for hazardous waste generated by natural resources users, to prepare a basic data bank relating to the State Waste Cadastre, and to identify abandoned waste. It is noteworthy that production accounting and control is being implemented far and wide aimed at preventing and minimising waste generation, as well as collecting, processing, recycling, utilising, storing, and removing waste. Interaction with local executive authorities and other agencies with regard to developing an efficiently functioning waste market in the country is being improved.

Of particular importance is the development and implementation of breakthrough investment projects on recycling of production and consumption waste, development of small and medium enterprises to manufacture construction, packaging, and coating materials in conformity with international standards across Kazakhstan.

In this context, the Conference Mechanisms of Cooperation for Transition to a Green Economy: From Strategy to Practice held within the framework of the Exhibition will be a significant event that will bring together all the stakeholders and provide an opportunity to discuss today’s most important issues. We invite all professionals and business leaders to participate in the Conference and Exhibition!

I wish all exhibitors, guests and organisers of the EcoTech 2012 and WaterTech Central Asia 2012 Exhibition and Conference fruitful work and success in achieving the intended objectives!

N. Kapparov
RK Minister of Environmental Protection



Dear Exhibitors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I cordially welcome all exhibitors and guests of the 4th Central Asian International Exhibition ‘WaterTech Central Asia 2012’ on Water and Water Technologies.

The scarcity of water resources in the world and, specifically, in the Central Asian region requires closer attention to the rational use thereof, deployment of new technologies, and cooperation with neighbouring countries. In his latest Address to the Nation, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan emphasised: “The issue of providing Kazakhstanis with high-quality potable water is the most important task in improving the people’s health, and will therefore be our priority”.

Considering the new tasks set by the Head of State, the Ak Bulak Programme for 2011-2020 aimed to provide population with potable water was developed and approved.

The new programme’s key provisions include: introducing a systemic approach to construction of new water supply facilities and reconstruction of existing ones; ensuring efficient operation of water supply systems for populated localities; enhancing investment appeal of the water management sector and involving private capital into funding water supply facilities to the maximum possible extent. Besides, the new programme envisages maximum utilisation of underground waters and increasing the quality of water supply system designing. Also, a system to monitor the water management sector’s status is planned to be set up.

In this context, I would like to stress the relevance of holding this exhibition designed to promote the development of international cooperation, exchange of experiences, introduction of state-of-the-art environmentally friendly technologies in the industrial and municipal sectors, reducing the level of pollution in rivers and water basins, providing remote villages with potable water, and solving problems with irrigation water in rural areas.

I am sure that holding WaterTech Central Asia 2012 alongside with EcoTech 2012 Exhibition of EcoTechnologies and EcoServices for Industrial and Municipal Sectors will make its contribution to the development of fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation among experts of allied sectors and become a venue to establish business contacts, share experiences, and sign long-term contracts and agreements.

I wish the exhibitors, guests, and organisers of the exhibition successful work, good health and wellbeing.

Kakhan Rakhmetolla
Acting Chairman, Committee for Water Resources,
Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan



Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), I am happy to welcome all exhibitors and guests of the 8th Central Asian International Exhibition of Eco Technologies and Eco Services for Industrial and Municipal Sectors.

Today, the biggest concern of both developed and developing countries is the second wave of the global financial crisis. However, apart from that, the environmental, energy and food crises continue escalating as well.

As was acknowledged at the World Economic Forum held in January 2012, all measures to counteract the global crisis had worked themselves out and we have to seek for new models of a crisis-free economy. Practically all high-level documents view “green” economy as a cornerstone for a sustainable crisis-free economy.

That includes economically sound measures to protect and improve the environment based on highly remunerative technologies and legal incentives for rational use of natural resources.

The private sector is increasingly focused on efficient use of resources and environmental improvements rather than on an unreasonable increase of added value. The companies which are not willing to accept or understand this fundamental change run the risk of losing opportunities for further development, a favourable market position and competitiveness to the companies which invest in innovations and increase the efficient use of existing resources.

Every year, EcoTech Exhibitions not only unveil the opportunities to create favourable conditions for the further economic development of Kazakhstan and Central Asia but also demonstrate advanced green technology and innovations.

It is no question that this is the only permanent platform that brings together government officials, businesses and environmental experts to find new approaches building upon the latest trends.

I cordially wish to all exhibitors and guests of EcoTech 2012 International Exhibition of Eco Technologies and Eco Services for Industrial and Municipal Sectors attainment of their exhibition-related aims, creative and professional successes and achievements, prosperity and a clear sky for all of you!

Sincerely yours,

Talaibek Makeyev
Executive Director, CAREC



Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the organisers, Kazakhstan Exhibition Company Iteca and its international partner, ITE Group, we are happy to bring to your attention a number of projects in the field of environmental protection and rational use of water resources – EcoTech 2012 and WaterTech Central Asia 2012.

EcoTech and WaterTech Exhibitions have already managed to prove themselves in the market of Kazakhstan and Central Asia as a reliable platform to develop and strengthen business ties between enterprises that offer eco technologies and eco services and industrial companies, municipal services, scientific research and design institutes, associations and private sector.

The growth of business activity and the interest in deploying up-to-date eco technologies and services in Kazakhstan were promoted by the fact that in September last year the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan approved the industry-wise Zhasyl Damu Programme for 2010 - 2014.

The Programme is oriented at the use of a progressive ‘green economy’ method which provides for eliminating the correlation between the use of resources and ecological consequences of economic growth. Being of an intersectoral character, the Programme will facilitate comprehensive resolution of many issues, such as: greenhouse gas emissions, atmospheric air pollution, ecological disaster zones, specially protected natural areas, production and consumption waste, water resources, soft landscaping, etc.

Also in 2011, the bill On Amending Some Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Environmental Issues was drafted and sent to the Government. According to the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) press service, the bill aims to strengthen administrative and criminal responsibility for violation of environmental legislation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions through market-based mechanisms, and decrease accumulation of waste.

The bill offers economic mechanisms to stimulate waste recycling or reduce waste formation. Besides, according to the Mazhilis, it provides administrative responsibility for failure to comply with wildlife management terms specified in the environmental permit. These terms now include the waste management programme performance indicators which reflect waste accumulation decrease during the permit effective period. The bill therefore aims to stimulate business entities to find waste disposal solutions. Implementation of this mechanism in Kazakhstan will result in a significant reduction of accumulated waste by 2020. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2013.

With regards to water supply and discharge, 82% of cities have centralised water supply, versus a mere 42.5% of rural areas.

According to the Kazakhstan Agency for Statistics, in 2009, the total area of the housing stock in Kazakhstan equipped with water discharge facilities was 73.4% on average, against 8.8% in rural areas. Water-supply sources keep deteriorating, and the risk of their contamination increases. Apart from that, most regions have heavily depreciated water supply utilities and facilities. In some places, they make 80-100%. This results in serious disruptions of water supply and the risk of infectious diseases.

Enhancement of centralised access to potable water is currently a priority in Kazakhstan. In this respect, Ak Bulak Programme was launched on January 1, 2011 to replace the Potable Water Programme (2002-2010). It will include two stages: 2011-2015 and 2016-2020. The government will earmark 1.2 trillion tenge for the Ak Bulak Programme implementation: 85 billion tenge in 2011, and 122 billion tenge in 2012-2013.

Ak Bulak Programme will enhance development of the water sector through facility upgrades and adequate rate setting. The programme also includes use of top-quality underground water amply available in Kazakhstan.

The above said offers new opportunities for cooperation between local and foreign companies working in the area of eco-technologies and eco-services, water sector and allied industries.

The special feature of this exhibition year will be the holding of EcoTech and WaterTech Central Asia Exhibitions the same dates in Almaty.

A saturated business programme is envisaged within the framework of the events with the involvement of representatives of governmental structures, municipal services, national experts, ecologists of major industrial enterprises, representatives of suppliers of eco technologies and eco services, as well as heads of industry-wise scientific research and design institutes, centres and associations.

Since their inception, these events have been held with the support and involvement of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Committee for Water Resources under the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty City Akimat (Administration), Almaty City Department of Natural Resources and Nature Use Regulation, Our business partners include: Regional Ecological Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), Kazakhstan Petroleum Lawyers Association (KPLA), The Center «Cooperation for sustainable development of the Republic of Kazakhstan», Centre for Sustainable Production and Consumption, Kazakhstan Business Council for Sustainable Development (KBCSD).

Undoubtedly, EcoTech and WaterTech Central Asia exhibitions help to provide good conditions to further economic development of Kazakhstan, maintain the eco-balance, establish business contacts, expand sales markets, set up joint ventures, promote investment projects, eco-technologies and special equipment in the national market, and exchange international experiences. During EcoTech, companies that use natural resources will have a unique opportunity to demonstrate their conservation programmes and achievements in improving the environmental situation.

We are looking forward to seeing you among the exhibitors of our eco-events!

Sincerely yours,
Olessya Somkina
Ecology and Water Projects Manager
Iteca